Should faith-based organisations and schools be able to preference staff members who share their religious beliefs and values? While it hasn’t had a lot of media attention, this is a key issue at next month’s Victorian election. Let me answer the question with reference to my own experience.

A crisis is emerging in our kindergartens with the number of four to six-year-olds sent home for unruly behaviour soaring to its highest level. Last year, more than 400 kindy kids were suspended, up from 356 the year before and 345 in 2010. Principals and child psychologists have blamed instability at home, poor parenting and mental illness for the dramatic increase.

An online sport betting company is attempting to lure women punters with a beauty goodie box containing fake tan and nail polish. New customers who sign up to Sportsbet via the promotion, and make a bet of at least $5 will receive a gift pack with cosmetics products valued at $90.

To diners in McDonald’s that morning, she looked like any other private schoolgirl – hair tied back, socks pulled up, shoes a little scuffed. But this Year 11 student was hiding an awful truth. She was homeless. The bathroom in this fast food joint was where she washed, brushed her teeth and got ready for the day.

A rise in drug use was one of the key issues raised when indigenous leaders met in Mackay. Mayors and leaders of Queensland's indigenous and Torres Straight Islander communities fleshed out their concerns with Queensland Police Commissioner Ian Stewart over morning tea yesterday.

New Zealand's sex industry is not in an exciting phase. Despite legalising prostitution, the sex workers are not having a windfall in business and there is a perceived "slow down" as in many other industries. It is almost 11 years, since prostitution was made a legitimate profession in the country.

Young Yazidi woman says ISIS jihadis kidnapped her and other women, and raped them. Yazidi women treated like cattle, says one adviser to Kurdistan government on gender. ISIS has kidnapped more than 2,500 Yazidi women, according to research by his team.

It is hard to imagine Australia's refugee policy was ever brave, principled and an example to the world of our commitment to human rights. But there was a time when Department of Immigration officials went into countries to process would-be refugees before they had to flee, and resettled them in Australia.

During the Islamic State's June invasion and consolidation of Mosul, Iraq -- where Christians have been present since the first century -- countless atrocities against them were committed. Accordingly, the region is now reportedly empty of Christian presence.

I have tried to discuss, among numerous and various other issues, the international persecution of Christians, especially within Islam; I do this because, tragically and regrettably, because so few other broadcasters and journalists are prepared to devote sufficient time to this acutely pertinent and important subject.

Earlier this year, Germaine Greer argued that women now are worse off than ever, citing the proliferation of pornography and the level of harassment and abuse directed toward women on social media as evidence. I tend to agree.

What is the place of religion, especially Christianity, in a supposedly secular society? Courier Mail opinion writer Margaret Wenham argues that Australia should follow the French Government’s example in banning religion from the public square.

The movement to normalize homosexuality has seen one more institution, the U.S. Supreme Court, cave before it. On October 7, the Court refused to uphold the traditional definition of marriage as between a man and a woman, allowing lower court rulings overturning democratically enacted gay “marriage” bans in five states to stand.